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"Wherever this ship has gone it has destroyed fish stocks and ruined fishermen's livelihoods," Greenpeace oceans campaigner Nathaniel Pelle said in a statement.

"Along with a broad cross-section of the community that has declared the Margiris unwelcome, we will be ramping up efforts to stop it doing the same in Australian waters."

The ship's imminent arrival has caused a major stir in Tasmania.

A petition against its use has attracted thousands of signatures, with celebrities such as singer Guy Sebastian and surfer Kelly Slater jumping on board.

The Greens, who have likened the Margiris to a vacuum cleaner for the oceans, want it banned and Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie earlier this week urged Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to do likewise.

Greenpeace has previously targeted the Margiris, painting the word "plunder" on its side earlier this year off the coast of Africa.